Former Taiwan leader Chen recalls mystery-riddled attempt on his life

Former Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian says the attempted assassination of Donald Trump reminds him of a similar attempt on his life two decades ago, which to this day remains unsolved.

On March 19, 2004, the day before Taiwan's presidential election, then-leader Chen and vice president Annette Lu Hsiu-lien were shot when they were campaigning in Tainan. Chen was shot in the stomach and Lu in the right knee.

"I was shot in the stomach while [Trump] was shot in the ear. This incident reminds us to be extra careful," he told media in Kaohsiung yesterday, adding the attempt on Trump was shocking.

Chen, the first president from the Democratic Progressive Party which ended the Kuomintang's 55-year rule, said he regrets his case has never been solved while denying claims he planned it himself.

Chen and Lu were both rushed to Chi-Mei Hospital and discharged on the same day.

Chen and Lu defeated rivals Lien Chan and James Soong Chu-yu by 29,000 votes.

Police said the suspect, Chen Yi-hsiung, fired two shots - with one grazing Chen's abdomen, causing a wound 11 centimeters long and two cm deep.

But later in March 2005, police said Chen Yi-hsiung drowned at sea 10 days after the shooting.

STAFF REPORTER